Vijay Kumar (British filmmaker)
Vijay Kumar is a long-standing member of the film and media industry.[1] Having started in his early days as an actor in theatre productions, Vijay then moved on to becoming a fully fledged actor appearing in a number of feature films in Bollywood, such as: Gangster,[2] Main Solah Baras Ki, Master,[3] King of Bollywood and Love U Mr Kalakaar. Vijay also played a comic role in the hit TV series Dekh Bhai Dekh. During Vijay's career as an actor, he was always involved in presenting, whether it was on air or TV.[4][5] Vijay had amassed a large following with his featured show on BBC and Asian Sound Radio in the early 2000s. Vijay still, however, had not satisfied his creative flow and took up the chance to be the Director, Writer and Producer of his own short films. Vijay has gone on to create over 5 short films since 2003, many of which have been featured in film festivals such as: Cannes Film Festival,[6] Ekotop Film Festival, JIFF India, Wirral International Film Festival[7] and the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Vijay Kumar | |
|---|---|
Vijay Kumar Makol | |
.JPG) Vijay Kumar | |
| Born | New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | British |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Actor / Director / Presenter |
| Years active | 1988 – Present |
| Organisation | LondonToBollywood |
Notable work | Gangster, Johnny |
| Height | 5ft7in (170cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Geeta (Kashyap) Makol (1986 – Present) |
| Website | www.vijaykumar.co.uk |
Short films
Vijay took part in the Met Film School script to screen course in filmmaking. Following which, he created the short film, Johnny, which was shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and also viewed on Sky TV by millions of viewers. Vijay was then picked up by Basement films of John Moore University, Liverpool to direct A Fatal Accident.[8][9] This film went to festivals such as the Edinburgh film Festival and Jaipur International Film Festival. He then went on to make Unwanted Bride,[10] before making Bombay Beauty,[11][12] a short film shown in the Ekotop Film Festival for a number of consecutive days. Vijay's latest foray into short films was Audition, Vijay's first India based short film.
Filmography
| Films | Production | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 8119 Miles (2016) | Joe Eshwar Productions | Joe Eshwar |
| Vagatore Mixer (2015) | Navketan Films | Suneil Anand |
| Love U Mr Kalakaar (2014) | Rajshri Productions | S. Manasvi |
| King of Bollywood (2002) | I Dreams | Piyush Jha |
| Master (2001) | Navketan Films | Suneil Anand |
| Main Solah Baras Ki (1998) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Gangster (1995) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Sau Crore (1990) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Roti Kee Keemat (1988) | Rohitasha Films | Ramesh Ahuja |
| Taqdeer Ke Rang (1988) | Balram Movies | Ashok Mann |
| Television | Production | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993) | Sarasvati Audio Visual | Aanand Mahendroo |
| Better Safe Than Sorry (2000) | Dragons Garden Film | Tim Royale |
| Chicken Karma (2002) | Six Foot High Films | Emma Farrel |
| Bombay Beauty (2002) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Going for Green (2002) | Scottish Television | Charlie Stuart |
| Liver Birds (1998) | BBC Television | John Mcbride |
| Carry On Biff (1991) | Granada Television | Peter Smith |
| Aaj Ki Biwi (1990) | Cineface Productions | Ajay Kumar |
| Theatre | Production | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Parvarish | Ekjute Theatre | Vijay Kumar |
| Looking Back in Anger | Roundabout Players | Colin Roper |
| Kitney Naye Kitney Purane | Geeta Arts | A.K. Chaterjee |
| Gorian Ranna Da Shoukeen | Lokantar Productions | B.K. Sood |
| Tram Track Tragedy | Roundabout Players | Val Sanders |
| Liver Birds (1998) | BBC Television | John Mcbride |
| Carry On Biff (1991) | Granada Television | Peter Smith |
| Aaj Ki Biwi (1990) | Cineface Productions | Ajay Kumar |
| Short films | Production | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny (2005) | Met Film School | Vijay Kumar |
| Bombay Beauty (2004) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Audition (2009) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Fatal Accident (2006) | Basement Film Unit | Vijay Kumar |
| Transitional Driver (2003) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Unwanted Bridge (2007) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Presenting | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Open House/News (800 Shows) | Presenter | BBC |
| Top 30/Chat Show (1000 Shows) | Presenter | Asian Sound Radio |
| IFFA Awards Coverage | Planet Productions | Asia 1 TV / Sky TV |
References
- "Exclusive with Vijay Kumar", Evening Standard, London, 1995.
- "Gangster Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- "Master Full Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- Hookam, Mark. "We'll make Liverpool Bollywood of the UK", Daily Post , Liverpool, October 2003.
- "Liverpool, Bollywood of the UK", "[Daily Post]", Retrieved on 12 October 2014.
- "Cannes Festival Profile" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Cannes Film Festival Website]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- "Wirral Film Festival" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Liverpool-Live]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- "Fatal Accident on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- Taggart, Gareth. "Two day film hit", Wirral News Group, Wirral, March 2003.
- "Unwanted Bride on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- "Bombay Beauty on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- Mann, Manjit. "Bollywood in Britain", Eastern Eye, London, 2003.